The Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo has approved the sum of 72,500 naira as minimum wage for workers in the state with immediate effect.
This was followed after the governor received and signed the report of the Committee on New Minimum Wage presented by its Chairman, Elijah Evinemi, who is also Kogi State Head of Service on Monday at Government House Lokoja.
Ododo noted that after deliberation from the side of the union and government, the committee was able to arrive with a position that will not affect workers and the state.
He commended the committee for a good job adding that his administration is workers friendly, pointing out that what he had done today was not a favour for the workers but rather their right because his administration must always look into the welfare of workers in the state.
Governor Ododo stressed that the new minimum wage will commence as from this October, noting that whatever it takes his administration he will continue to serve the people of the state because they gave him the mandate to serve.
He also approved the suspension of withholding Tax from civil servants salaries for the period of one year.
“We are not doing anybody good but we are doing what we have signed to do in fulfilment of our promise. This is in line with the stakeholders but the government and labour.
Governor Ododo who said having been a labour leader and a civil servant before going into partisan politics he knew what the civil servants were passing through and that now that God has made him the governor, he would do all within the state resources to provide succour for the state workforce.
”I can not forget where I came from, I am a man from a humble background who became who I am by the grace of God and will therefore not use my position to oppress anyone but to better the lots of the people
“You people generously elected me as your governor and the resources of the state belong to you all, I am just your chief servant and I will ensure that the resources are allocated to all sectors fairly and equitably.
“All you have seen today is the painstaking efforts of the labour leaders and government who conducted staff audit screenings in the previous administration all in a bid to ensure that the right people take what belong to them as workers and not ghost workers
“My government will continue to privatise the welfare of workers and the people of the state. Rededicate yourself towards the development of our dear state
“I am not bigger than any of you here, you only made the governor to serve you,” Ododo said.
He urged all the labour leaders to continue to lead with sincerity to enable the state and the union to work in harmony.
